The Inland Lake Yachting Association (ILYA) is building on its #FairSailing initiative to increase the level of rules knowledge and compliance. The initiative includes a Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) presentation for clubs and sailing schools to use, weekly rules scenarios articles, a rules quiz, streamlining the protest process, and incentives for club and individual participation.
In 2018, we covered the basics of the RRS. In 2019, we’ll address more complex scenarios with new articles and a second-level quiz. We’ll use material from Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes, as well as the World Sailing Casebook. Thanks to Dave for granting permission to use his material!
We’ll publish the weekly ILYA rules scenarios articles here. You can also receive the weekly articles directly from the ILYA by subscribing to ILYA’s Scowlines.
Rules scenarios #3 uses a combination of the rules of Part 2, Sections C and D. To review the basics of the rules, see the SailZing Part 2 Racing Rules category.
Scenario 1 – Room to Pass
Boats W and L are reaching along the starting line on starboard tack. Ahead of them, Boat X is nearly motionless on a close-hauled course. To avoid hitting X, W asks for room to pass to leeward of X. L refuses, claiming that W can pass to windward of X. L passes to leeward of X and W passes to windward of X. W protests L. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 29)
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Scenario 2 – Mark Room 1
A port tack boat (P) and a starboard tack boat (S) are approaching the windward mark. P tacks to round the mark and passes head to wind within the zone. At that moment, she is one length ahead and slightly to windward of S, and moving more slowly than S due to her tack, S holds her course. As P bears away around the mark, it becomes apparent that S will hit P’s leeward side, and that there will not be room for S to sail between P and the mark without hitting either. P luffs away from the mark and S passes between P and the mark with no contact. P protests S. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 33)
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Scenario 3 – Mark Room 2
Within one hull length of a windward mark to be left to port, Boat P tacks to a close-hauled course to leeward of Boat S (on starboard tack). As P’s bow approaches the mark, S remains close-hauled and hails to P, “You have no rights.” As S bears away to round the mark, she forces P to bear away into the mark to avoid hitting her. P immediately gets clear of other boats, hailing “protest” as she does one turn that includes a tack and a gybe. S sails on. After the race, P files a protest against S for failing to keep clear of her. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 34)
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Scenario 4 – Finishing Room
At an upwind finish, two close-hauled boats on opposite tacks (S and P) are converging at the left end mark of the finishing line. When about a length and a half from the mark, P completes a tack to leeward of S without fouling her. However, in order to pass the mark on the correct side, P luffs up to almost head to wind, thereby causing S to sail above close-hauled to avoid her. S protests P. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this? (From Perry, Quiz 37)
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